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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Enhancing the biodegradability and environmental impact of microplastics utilizing Eisenia fetida earthworms with treated low-density polyethylene for sustainable plastic management
ClearPotential Use of Earthworms to Enhance Decaying of Biodegradable Plastics
Researchers examined the potential of earthworms to accelerate the biodegradation of both conventional and biobased biodegradable plastics in soil, finding that earthworm activity can enhance the physical fragmentation and microbial degradation of some polymers, though effectiveness varies significantly by polymer type. The study suggests earthworm-assisted composting as a partial strategy to reduce agricultural plastic pollution.
Impact of Vermicomposting with Soil Enriched with Plastic and Different Biodegradable Wastes on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Parameters of Soil
Researchers examined the impact of vermicomposting on soil enriched with conventional and biodegradable plastics, measuring how earthworm activity altered plastic fragmentation and soil properties. Results showed that vermicomposting accelerated the breakdown of some plastic types while earthworms ingested plastic particles, potentially dispersing them through the soil profile.
Decay of low-density polyethylene by bacteria extracted from earthworm's guts: A potential for soil restoration
Researchers isolated bacteria from earthworm guts that were able to degrade low-density polyethylene, demonstrating that intestinal microbes from soil invertebrates may play a role in plastic breakdown. The findings suggest that earthworm gut microbiomes are a reservoir of plastic-degrading bacteria with potential applications for bioremediation of LDPE-contaminated soils.
Fragmentation and depolymerization of microplastics in the earthworm gut: A potential for microplastic bioremediation?
Researchers explored whether earthworms can break down microplastics in soil by passing them through their digestive systems. They found that earthworms fragmented and partially broke down polyethylene and biodegradable plastic particles, reducing their size and altering their chemical structure. This suggests earthworms could play a role in naturally reducing microplastic contamination in soil, though more research is needed to understand whether the smaller fragments pose their own risks.
Earthworm (Eisenia andrei)-Mediated Degradation of Commercial Compostable Bags and Potential Toxic Effects
Researchers studied how the earthworm Eisenia andrei degrades commercial biodegradable plastic films during soil incubation, finding that earthworm activity accelerated fragmentation and altered the chemical structure of the plastic material. The study supports using earthworms as biological agents for in-soil plastic degradation.
Earthworms As An Emerging Biotechnological Intervention in the Mitigation of Microplastics
This review explores the emerging role of earthworms as biological agents for degrading microplastics in soil environments. Researchers found that earthworm gut microflora and mucous secretions actively contribute to breaking down plastic polymers through enzymatic depolymerization. The study suggests that earthworm-mediated biodegradation could be a promising biotechnological approach for mitigating microplastic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.
Vermicomposting as a potential strategy for microplastic reduction in organic waste: mini review
This review evaluates vermicomposting as a biological approach for reducing microplastic contamination in organic waste streams. Researchers found evidence that earthworms can physically fragment and partially break down certain types of microplastics during the composting process, though effects on earthworm health vary by plastic type and concentration. The study suggests that vermicomposting shows promise as a strategy for mitigating microplastic contamination in compost, but more research is needed on long-term impacts.
Earthworms Exposed to Polyethylene and Biodegradable Microplastics in Soil: Microplastic Characterization and Microbial Community Analysis
Researchers exposed earthworms to biodegradable and conventional polyethylene microplastics in natural soil and found that worms ingested both types. The biodegradable plastic showed signs of partial breakdown in the earthworm gut, while conventional polyethylene remained unchanged. Although microplastics did not significantly alter the soil or gut microbiome in this study, the results confirm that earthworms transport microplastics through soil ecosystems.
Earthworms on a microplastics diet
Researchers found that environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics added to plant litter on soil surfaces led to reduced growth and elevated mortality in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, and that earthworms may themselves transport ingested microplastics deeper into soils.
A comparison of the toxicity induced by the exposure to microplastics made of a conventional and a biodegradable polymer on the earthworm Eisenia fetida
Researchers compared the toxicity of conventional versus biodegradable polymer microplastics on the earthworm Eisenia fetida, evaluating whether biodegradable alternatives present reduced ecotoxicological risk in soil environments where microplastic contamination is increasingly documented.
The Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Low-density Polyethylene Microplastics in Organic Material on Vermicomposting Process
Researchers assessed the effects of polyethylene terephthalate and low-density polyethylene microplastics on vermicomposting of organic material, measuring germination index, C/N ratio, worm survival, pH, and electrical conductivity and finding that both MP polymer types impair key composting process indicators.
The Effects of Agricultural Plastic Waste on the Vermicompost Process and Health Status of Eisenia fetida
This study assessed the effects of agricultural plastic waste, including LDPE, LLDPE, and expanded polystyrene, on vermicomposting with the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Plastic debris in the compost at 1.25% fresh weight did not significantly affect earthworm survival but altered compost maturation, microbial activity, and resulting compost quality.
Screening the LDPE microplastic degradation potential of the epigeic earthworm species reported from the district Hamirpur of Himachal Pradesh
Researchers screened three epigeic earthworm species from the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, India, for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene microplastics in soil. The study investigates the potential of earthworm-mediated bioremediation as an in-situ approach to reducing microplastic pollution in agricultural soils.
Microplastics in Agricultural Soil: Fate, Impacts, and Bioremediation by Earthworms
This review examines how microplastics accumulate in agricultural soils and the role earthworms may play in breaking them down. Researchers found that microplastics can harm soil health by disrupting microbial communities, enzyme activity, and nutrient availability, but that earthworms can enhance microplastic degradation through their digestive processes and the microorganisms in their gut. The study suggests that earthworm-based bioremediation could be a practical strategy for reducing microplastic contamination in farmland.
Responses of earthworms exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments
Researchers exposed earthworms to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments at various concentrations and studied the effects on their survival, growth, and reproduction. The microplastics affected earthworm behavior and caused measurable changes depending on concentration and exposure time. Since earthworms are critical for soil health and nutrient cycling, their sensitivity to microplastics raises concerns about how plastic pollution may degrade agricultural soils.
Dose Effect of Polyethylene Microplastics Derived from Commercial Resins on Soil Properties, Bacterial Communities, and Enzymatic Activity
Researchers applied polyethylene microplastics derived from commercial resins to soil at varying doses and measured effects on soil organisms and properties, finding dose-dependent impacts on earthworm behavior, enzyme activity, and nutrient cycling.
Effect of microplastics in sludge impacts on the vermicomposting
Researchers examined how adding polyethylene microplastic particles to sludge affects vermicomposting performance. The study found that higher microplastic concentrations reduced the efficiency of organic matter removal, impaired composting quality, and caused oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in earthworms, with bacterial diversity also declining in heavily contaminated treatments.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics stress on soil physicochemical properties mediated by earthworm Eisenia fetida
Researchers exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics of two sizes and found that smaller particles (13 micrometers) were more toxic than larger ones (130 micrometers), reducing survival and growth more severely. The microplastics caused oxidative stress in the worms and altered key soil properties including pH and organic carbon content. Since earthworms play a vital role in maintaining healthy soil for agriculture, this damage could affect soil quality and ultimately the food grown in microplastic-contaminated farmland.
Microplastic transport in soil by earthworms
Researchers demonstrated that earthworms can transport microplastic particles from the soil surface deeper into the ground, with smaller particles being moved to greater depths. Using the common earthworm Lumbricus terrestris in greenhouse experiments, they showed that worm activity significantly increased the presence of microplastics in lower soil layers. The findings suggest that earthworms play an important role in burying microplastics in soil, potentially affecting other soil organisms and groundwater.
Defense responses in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastics in soils
Researchers exposed earthworms to low-density polyethylene microplastics in soil at various concentrations for 28 days. They found that the earthworms ingested microplastics in a dose-dependent manner and actually broke some particles into smaller pieces during digestion, with about 30% more particles under 100 micrometers found in their excrement compared to the original soil. At higher concentrations, the microplastics triggered oxidative stress and neurotoxic responses, suggesting potential ecological risks to soil organisms.
Earthworms mitigate drought effects on microbial decomposition of straw under varying microplastic conditions
Researchers found that earthworms could partially offset the negative effects of both biodegradable and non-degradable microplastics on microbial straw decomposition during drought conditions in Loess Plateau soils, primarily by modifying soil physical properties and microbial community composition.
Effect of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on earthworms during vermicomposting process
Researchers compared the effects of conventional polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics on earthworms during composting and found that both types caused stress at higher concentrations. Earthworm weight, reproduction, and survival were negatively affected by both plastic types, though biodegradable microplastics caused somewhat less harm. The findings suggest that biodegradable plastics are not entirely safe for soil organisms and can still disrupt composting processes.
Bioremediation of soil microplastics: the role of microbial and earthworm activity
This review of 150 studies found that tiny plastic particles in soil can be naturally broken down by soil microbes and earthworms working together, with earthworms reducing some plastics by up to 60%. The research shows that certain plastic types like shopping bags and food containers are harder to break down than others, and that healthy soil with diverse microbes and earthworms is better at cleaning up plastic pollution. This matters because microplastics in soil can eventually end up in our food and water, so understanding how nature breaks them down could help us develop better ways to reduce plastic pollution in the environment.
A Systematic Review on Earthworms in Soil Bioremediation
This systematic review found that earthworm-based bioremediation (vermiremediation), alone or combined with phytoremediation and bioaugmentation, effectively reduces soil contamination from heavy metals, pesticides, and hydrocarbons. The research is relevant to microplastics because earthworms interact extensively with soil microplastics, potentially fragmenting them further while also being harmed by plastic particle ingestion.